The Spooky World Of Quantum Biology

The new science of quantum biology is teaching us about how the actual behavior of evolution is governed by disconcertingly spooky processes – time travel being one of them. Will quantum computation finally be realized by biomimicry, in organic systems? Evolution is the new (old) computation…and we’re about to take the reins.

One hundred and fifty years ago, paleontologist Thomas Henry Huxley (an autodidact and philosopher who coined the term “agnostic” and was known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” for his passionate defense of natural selection) asserted that humankind would eventually take the processes of evolution into our own hands. Within a few decades of his proclamation, a cadre of equally brilliant scientists including Werner Heisenberg, David Bohm, and Max Planck began to unravel the mysterious properties of quantum mechanics. These two theories –- evolutionary and quantum dynamics — can each be considered among the most important discoveries of all time. Taken together, they have changed almost everything about the way we understand reality. However, in spite of the popularity of interdisciplinary research and unifying theories over the last hundred years (despite, even, quantum physicist Erwin Schröedinger’s 1944 book, What Is Life?), it was only recently that the relationship between these two vastly important domains was even considered. Now, a new kind of science, called “quantum biology,” is beginning to emerge –- and it could change everything we know, again..

The premise is simple. Life is a molecular process; molecular processes operate according to the quantum playbook; therefore, life is a quantum process. And yet, it wasn’t until the nineties that anyone suggested biology could be better understood by looking at it through the lens of quantum theory. (The seminal paper was D.V. Nanopoulos’ "Theory of brain function, quantum mechanics and superstrings.”) Not long after that, the idea caught on – particularly in the neurosciences, where the idea of the brain as a quantum computer quickly became a topic of fierce debate.

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Quantum computation, a science still in its infancy, promises swiftness and efficiency vastly superior to anything possible with conventional silicon chips. Rather than relying on binary bits like contemporary systems, quantum computers use “qubits” that include all possible superpositions of a particle’s classical state. Instead of being “trapped” in a single configuration, the logic gates of a quantum computer employ multiple possibilities in synchrony – using the entire set of alternative outcomes to arrive at an answer.

It’s a promising avenue for people with big plans for strong AI or virtual reality. The only complication is that coherence –- in which the many possible states of a particle or group of particles stay hung in superposition –- is something scientists have only been able to study under extremely controlled conditions. It’s only possible when that system doesn’t interact with anything else that might “collapse the wave function,” and so most of the major options for quantum computing involve impractical scenarios like creating a supercooled vacuum.

This is one of the reasons that many scientists have considered quantum biology both unlikely and unscientific. The thermal noise of biological systems seemed too great to allow for quantum weirdness; and even if it could, how on Earth would we study it? But science is the story of ingenuity’s victory over shortsightedness – and one research team, led by Gregory S. Engel at UC Berkeley, has devised way to directly detect and observe quantum-level processes within a cell using high-speed lasers.

They were trying to establish exactly how organic photosynthesis approaches 95% efficiency, whereas the most sophisticated human solar cells operate at only half that. What they discovered is nothing short of remarkable. Using femtosecond lasers to follow the movement of light energy through a photosynthetic bacterial cell, Engel et al. observed the energy traveling along every possible direction at the same time. Instead of following a single trajectory like the electrons on a silicon chip, the energy in photosynthesis explores all of its options and collapses the quantum process only after the fact, retroactively “deciding” upon the most efficient pathway.

What does this all mean? Not only does quantum phenomena occur in living systems, but the basic processes of life we take for granted rely on the transfer of information backward in time. Life is so magical because it cheats.

Although the mechanisms by which a living cell can prevent decoherence by dampening its own chemical “noise” remain utterly mysterious, findings such as Engels’ conclusively demonstrate that room-temperature quantum computing is possible (and knowing how something works isn’t always necessary in order to use it). And Engel’s group isn’t the only team to detect it: other laboratories have implicated a phenomenon called electron tunneling (micro-teleportation, in which an electron disappears in one location and instantaneously appears somewhere else without having traveled the intermediate distance) at work behind a range of organic phenomena, from our sense of smell and the activities of our enzymes to the neutralization of free radicals with anti-oxidants… possibly even consciousness itself. Paul Davies (Arizona State University) and JohnJoe McFadden (The University of Surrey) have independently suggested that computation in the netherworld of quantum coherence might explain how the earliest self-replicating molecules overcame the inestimable odds against them –- life’s very existence may be the consequence and continued operation of a quantum computer. We may ultimately have to accept our human quest for qubit calculation as a kind of biomimicry, rather than something new and unique.

Quantum biology stands to answer other big questions, as well –- questions that many contemporary biologists prefer to ignore. McFadden, in his excellent primer Quantum Evolution, cites several experiments that suggest certain mutations are “intelligent,” even “anticipatory.” For example, bacterial cultures have been observed to evolve clever responses to lab toxins at speeds that – just like the emergence of DNA from a primordial soup – defy astronomical odds. Can biological quantum calculation account for this? McFadden thinks so. (His hypothesis was itself anticipated in the science fiction of Greg Egan, whose novel Teranesia featured some very “spooky” retrocausal mutations – including the instantaneous appearance of entire new ecosystems via competing future evolutionary scenarios. Whether such extreme examples of quantum biological principles are possible remains to be seen.)

As we continue to probe biological phenomena that beat quantum computer scientists to the punch, a new picture emerges of evolutionary computing and design. Huxley’s prophecy that we will eventually take the reins of our own evolution might come true sooner than predicted by establishment geneticists. But by appealing to the quantum oracle, we may be acting in service of something far older and more intelligent than we can even guess. Ultrafast computing, accelerated by our explorations into the new science of quantum biology, could well be the critical technology that pushes us over the edge into the Singularity – a timeless and transcendent event in which we already live, because it is the nature of life itself – a vast sentience beyond human comprehension, and we are merely the newest avenue for its expression in the world. Classical or quantum, human or ecological, natural selection still gets the last laugh.

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38 Comments

Michael Garfield writes: Not only does quantum phenomena occur in living systems, but the basic processes of life we take for granted rely on the transfer of information backward in time. Life is so magical because it cheats.

This is not only true of photosynthesis, it is often true in human consciousness as well. Many studies have shown that people often execute a behavior, even before they have any conscious awareness of making the choice to do so. That is a great deal of why we live in such a “spooky” world.

I agree with Russell Ceballos who said: “I just wanted to state that I feel this article is very poorly researched, and needs to acknlowledge the work of Herbert Frohlich, H. Umezawa, G. Vitiello, and Karl Pribram. Not to mention Stuart Hammeroff et. al, and the group at Rensselaer. People have been suggesting this seriously since the 60’s. I hope people will go out and find out about these people on their own.”

The comment by Garfield that the paper by D Nanopoulos is the seminal one in this field is ridiculous. Nanopoulos stole the idea of quantum computation in microtubules from Penrose and Hameroff, modified it to his string theory ideas and published without citing Penrose and Hameroff (despite my sending him several articles). He knows very little about biology.

In addition to the photosynthesis work, other lines of evidence point to warm temperature macroscopic or mesoscopic functional states in biology. For example the work on microtubules by Anirban Bandyopadhyay in Japan.

Generally speaking, the TransHumanism approach needs to incorporate quantum biology. But first, it needs to get its facts straight.

Fascinating. I agree strongly with Bill Maher’s “Religion of Doubt” – i.e. none of us knows whether “mind creates matter” or “matter creates mind”. I am glad that scientists have been researching this for many decades now.

In the meantime, I strongly believe other disciplines – namely, law and justice – can play an unexpected role. Injustice stems from asymmetries and logical inconsistencies: e.g. a politician promising to do something or vote a certain way before being elected, but after being elected, they violate their promise – i.e. are logically inconsistent with their promise. Formal logic needs to be tied in with quantum mechanics. Causation is ultimately an arbitrary definition. By “arbitrary”, I don’t mean that all reasons for choosing the definition a certain way are of equal practical value. “Arbitrary” simply means we get to choose the definition. Causation in logic is analogous to propositions, e.g. P->Q, i.e. “P implies Q” or “P causes Q”. Quantum mechanics deals with the issue of whether a “particle is there or is not there” (or simultaneously), which is clearly related to statements in formal logic, such as “P and not P”.

But, the single most immediate necessary contribution to quantum biology will be the exact solution of nonlinear partial differential equations. I have worked on these for 20 years. For systems of purely “nondifferential” equations – i.e. equations in which no derivatives appear – G.P. Egorychev has provided solutions – generalization of the Lagrange Inversion Formula to systems of several dependent and several independent variables. He published his work in 1984. I am trying to build upon his work, if I could first figure out his massively complex formulae.

But, don’t forget: ALL of this great technology will simply DROP DEAD when we run out of a sufficient amount of oil (we’re already beyond peak oil) and heat up the atmosphere and oceans aby 6 deg C with a runaway positive heat feedback loop. The only solution is a radical change of our energy systems to wind, solar, wave and geothermal ONLY, and a massive reduction in human population and consumption.

This article was focused on one specific recent project and not meant as a comprehensive survey of the field, but it definitely left out a lot of invaluable prior research. Thanks for pointing us all in the right direction…

I just wanted to state that I feel this article is very poorly researched, and needs to acknlowledge the work of Herbert Frohlich, H. Umezawa, G. Vitiello, and Karl Pribram. Not to mention Stuart Hammeroff et. al, and the group at Rensselaer. People have been suggesting this seriously since the 60’s. I hope people will go out and find out about these people on their own.

Please tell me you’re kidding, then re-read the second half of this article: I made sure to stress that we are pulling at the hems of a process that is vastly more intricate, extensive, and intelligent (if we’re not afraid to use the term…mind you, I didn’t say “sentient”) than we have guessed.

I’m assuming the “spookiness” in the title of this article (not my title) refers to my focus on how trying to engineer quantum biology doesn’t allow us to escape evolutionary dynamics…it just makes us pawns of natural selection at a higher octave. I can’t imagine how that could be misconstrued as “just another attempt to establish superiority over God.”

It seems to me to be perfectly natural that organisms evolve to take advantage of quantum effects. That these effects are possible is a very interesting discovery, but that our biological systems already take advantage of them is nothing to be marveled at. It’s inevitable that the most suitable mechanism to accomplish a task will be stumbled upon in the evolutionary process, and once stumbled upon will become the prevailing method. That’s not to say that evolution is a process of perfection – it can come up with apparently strange solutions – but you can be sure that those solutions are the most suitable from an available set. So, the fact that photosynthesis takes advantage of quantum effects is not at all cause for surprise – only that the effects are possible, and only then because it’s outside prevailing theory.

I read a more detailed article about the photosynthesis discovery (along with some other discovered examples of nature utilizing quantum effects) a while back.

It seems apparent that the efficiency they are talking about here is not, for example, efficiency as an alternative fuel source (among other issues, plants can only utilize certain wavelength ranges of light). Rather, it appears they are talking about the efficiency of the first step in the process – effectively routing the energy from the point of contact, to a reaction center where it can be utilized in photosynthesis, as compared to otherwise being converted into waste heat.

But disputing what was meant by “efficiency” misses IMHO the most important point – while scientists had long believed that quantum effects were only possible in tiny, isolated objects (one of the arguments leveled against quantum consciousness, in fact!), here we discover not only it working in a much larger, non-isolated environment, but that evolution was actually using quantum effects to make biological processes more efficient!

Up until now we have been playing with a handful of finicky qbits, but nature may actually be more scientifically advanced in the realm of quantum computing than we are! This opens-up a whole new area for quantum research.

(BTW, this is not the first time nature has out-performed / helped-out science – drugs derived from plants are another excellent example)

“Phenomena” is the plural of “phenomenon.” Therefore, when you write, “Not only does quantum phenomena occur in living systems…”, it’s exactly like writing, “Not only does quantum incidents occur in living systems….” Totally ghetto, dude.

So here’s an excellent style guide that will help you with your writing.

So finally we have a logical explanation for the similarity to humans of the genetic code of pigs. The pig cells said “Four legs good, two legs better, and with a dash of quantum biology, voila, here we are!

The fact remains that even if parts of the photosynthetic process are highly efficient, then if you want to compare its efficiency to solar panels, you really should use the overall efficiency of photosynthesis.

Instead of following a single trajectory like the electrons on a silicon chip, the energy in photosynthesis explores all of its options and collapses the quantum process only after the fact, retroactively “deciding” upon the most efficient pathway.

Don’t know much about quantum mechanics, but is this just clumsy explanation?

Does the following ‘explanation’ make more sense? The wave and particle occur simultaneously. The wave spreads uniformly, while the particle follows the path of least resistance through the field of potential created by the wave.

Quantum physics is the key to understanding nature. Using nature as inspiration to improve or create products is the art and science known as Biomimicry. This will lead to greater efficiencies in production where products may no longer be manufactured, but grown. Print technologies will be a step in that direction, getting smaller, but not quite quantum scale.

Basically, we are taking a closer look than we have before. In the past philosophers and spiritualists have come up with theories that are matching what leading scientists are proving today. The oddity of the quantum world, is that by simply observing these processes we are altering and defining their states. So the key would be to understand how we effect things on a quantum level and go from there.

gentlemen: I must have your email address to put on my safe list before I can receive from you. I am expecting to write a book about Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Although I admire Darwin he is like the guy who thought the sun revolved around the Earth and other planets. Who was the guy who proved him wrong?? I am like that guy. It is not about Evolution, it is about Adaptation. Have a good nights sleep. Paul

I gather the “efficiency” cited is achieved via coupling of electronic and vibrational states, enabling energy transfer to occur with very, very low heat loss. Roughly speaking (umm…very roughly, sorry) this is why plants are able to absorb gobs of energy without heating up massively. In this sense, they are indeed far more efficient than a vanilla solar plate.

Of course, the fact that the experiment was run on a system kept at 77K helped keep it cool, too. 😉

For Rex: No need to caveat your remark; despite years of studying quantum mechanics, I find it clumsy in general, myself. I suppose if I found it beautiful, mystical, enchanting, etc. I’d be working as a string theorist. It’s usually the ‘popular’ treatments that make it sound like this (Zukav, Capra, et al.) whereas the core writings (Dirac, e.g.) can be pretty intense.

We seem to have competing definitions of efficiency here. On the one hand we have the efficiency of sunlight converted into biomass by plants – about 3 to 6 % because not all photons are of the correct energy and plants use a large amount of the captured energy just to continue being alive.

Then there is the efficiency by which light energy is converted to stored energy. This is something on the order of 30% – it takes 8 photons to capture one molecule of CO2.

And then there’s the efficiency that I think is being talked about here: how many of the energetically correct photons that are captured by the system do useful work in the system. The photosynthetic process is a long series of steps and in the this last sense of efficiency one can ask how many photons advance the process to the next step at any level as opposed to simply going to waste or even setting the process back a level.

My impression is that the author, and most of the scientific community have cause and effect backwards. Mind creates and drives matter. Matter does not create mind. Mind does not spring from matter. Mind uses matter.

Three thousand years of debate between equally rigorous domains of human inquiry has not led to any solid conclusion about a causative relationship existing between mind and matter, one way or the other. The only thing we know for sure is that they don’t appear to exist without one another…that’s correlation, not causation (ie, good science). Bad science, at this point, is to assume that mind creates matter, or matter creates mind, either one. Because the best “facts” we have on this issue seem distributed about evenly between both camps.

You’re right; I should have been more specific. The exact value for the efficiency to which I referred is not for the entire process of transferring solar energy into somatic construction, but simply from chlorosomes to other parts of the cell. My source on this statistic came from here:

If your suggestion is that evolution occurs through the process of mutation into intermediary species that either survive or fail based on the degree of success of intermediary adaptations (very Darwinian) then I strongly disagree with your position.

However, if your position is that some form of quantum mechanics (possibly) dictates the most advantageous evolutionary path prior to, or in synchronicity with, specific mutations that we would describe as advantageous, then adaptations or evolution of species could (theoretically) take place in an extremely short period of time and this may explain why we have such a difficult time finding any kind of partially developed intermediary species in nature. The vast majority of species that we can observe seem to have “already evolved” into a form and function that both fits and makes logical sense when considering their surrounding environment, even down to biology, diet, behavior and in some cases complex synergistic relations with their surroundings.

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